Bicipital tenosynovitis - Week 1 rehabilitation

So the first week post operation is completed and pleased to say that the patient (Jaidi) is doing well.

Even after the first day post surgery, rehabilitation can begin. In fact an early and tailored program will give the best chance of an optimal recovery. Why is this?  Post-operative physiotherapy has the following aims and benefits:

1. To promote healing - minimize scar tissue after and retrain muscles
2. Regain mobility - having a program which progresses treatment to help prevent re-injury or delay recovery time
3. Optimising recovery - rehabilitation helps the body recover in a more optimal way than if left to its own devices
4. Active rehabilitation - To take an active role in the dogs recovery and offer mental stimulation

Our first goals post-op (for this condition) are to reduce pain / swelling, aid joint mobility and encourage controlled limb usage.

So our modalities this week have been:

• Cryotherapy (i.e. ice packs)
• PEMF (Pulse mag)
• PROM
• Treadmill walking

 The first 2 work in a similar way, by restricting blood flow to the area, they reduce swelling and pain. PEMF offers much deeper penetration into the muscle joints, whereas ice works at a relatively superficial level (so is more targeted at the surface operational wound).

PROM involves moving the limb in a controlled and pain free manner using grade 1 movements, so within his early natural range of movement. This will also help alleviate pain as well as mobilizations the soft tissue.

Finally using the treadmill is a good method to encourage controlled and even limb use. We started at 0.4 kph for 2 mins, then 0.5 mins rest with a further 0.4 kph for 2 mins. Each day I added 0.1 kph to the speed. So today we are up to 0.9 kph. Jaidi, who is an experienced treadmill dog, now considers this 'too slow' and you can see him wanting the belt to turn faster! However the aim here is to make sure he uses each limb, so slow is better for the time being.